Elon Musk has said that Twitter will charge $8 (£7) a month to users who want to put a blue tick on their name, indicating a verified account.
As part of the changes following the $44bn (£38bn) takeover of the social media site, Mr Musk said it was “necessary to defeat spam/scam”.
The blue symbol next to a username – usually for high-profile figures – is currently free.
Critics say the move could make it harder to identify reliable sources.
Mr Musk, the world’s richest man, added that paying users would be prioritized for answers and searches and half of ads.
“Power to the people! Blue for $8/month,” the billionaire said on Twitter, slamming the old BlueTick verification method as a “system of landlords and farmers.”
Twitter’s previous user verification process for Blue Tick involved a short online application form, and was reserved for people whose identities were targeted for impersonation, such as celebrities, politicians and Journalist.
The company introduced the system in 2009, after it faced a lawsuit alleging it didn’t do enough to stop fake accounts.
But Mr. Musk faces a huge challenge as he works to overhaul Twitter’s business, which hasn’t turned a profit in years.
He has said he wants to reduce Twitter’s reliance on advertising, even as some companies have become concerned about advertising on the site under his leadership.
General Motors – a rival of Mr Musk’s electric car company Tesla – said last week it was suspending advertising on the site.
Meanwhile, some other major brands have more quietly put a temporary halt to advertising on the platform as they wait to see how Mr Musk’s changes play out, a media buyer for a leading advertising firm told.
On Monday, one of the world’s biggest advertising companies, IPG, advised its clients to suspend Twitter adverts for a week, citing a need for more clarity on the Twitter’s plans to ensure “trust and safety” on the platform. IPG is given billions of pounds per year, by some of the world’s biggest brands, to handle their marketing budgets.
The charge for blue tick privileges drew scepticism after original reports that said the charge could be $20 (£18) monthly.
Many on the platform echoed the statement of author Stephen King, who wrote in response to reports of changes that instead Twitter “should pay me”.
Mr Musk wrote to Mr King saying, “We need to pay the bills somehow!”
